Food entrepreneur Amjad Bashir is on the expansion trail again.

He has signed a deal to open a third Zouk restaurant in the heart of Liverpool city centre.

The £2m investment should see the new 5,000 sq ft restaurant open in around 18 months once construction of the site is completed.

It will mark the next stage of rolling out the Zouk bar and grill formula across various parts of the UK. A £1m restaurant opened in Manchester’s media quarter last year and is trading successfully.

Mr Bashir, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the restaurant business, runs Zouk with his sons Tayub and Mudassar, who were recently joined by their sister Habiba following her graduation from Leeds University.

Tayub is also still intent on establishing a restaurant in London’s West End, but has so far not found a suitable site. He is also looking for a venue in Harrogate.

Meanwhile, he is hoping to meet Bradford Council officials after the holidays to discuss revised plans to extend the original restaurant in Leeds Road, Bradford.

The original planning application for a £3m extension into the former pub next door, which Mr Bashir also owns, was rejected because of its external design features. The aim is to create more waiting space, a new bar and a private function room.

In April, the Leeds Road restaurant was targeted by an arsonist, but was back in business within a week. Trade was also badly hit by people staying at home to watch the World Cup.

Amjad said: “The fire was a terrible blow and it took some time to convince people that we were still operating. Also the World Cup saw business drop through the floor. Since then, trade has really bounced back and we are busier than ever.

“We have ambitious plans to keep expanding the Zouk business and the Liverpool restaurant will be another big step forward. We are still looking for suitable sites with the ultimate aim of developing the Zouk concept into a franchise operation.”

Cookery schools run at the Manchester Zouk have been increased from one every three months to once a month due to growing demand. Students taking the half-day courses are provided with a full follow-up pack, including a helpline number for further support and advice from Zouk’s award-winning chefs.